Rebuilding Sri Lanka: How to Help
"Rebuild Sri Lanka Solar Initiative"
We're extremely excited about a new effort being spearheaded by two ISLE alumni, www.rebuildsrilankasolar.org , which will bring solar power to the affected areas in Sri Lanka. Solar power will provide:
— Lighting and vaccine refrigeration in medical facilities currently without power.
— Water pumping and purification: In medical facilities, villages, and refugee camps, solar power will be used for water pumping and purification where wells have been contaminated with salt water and sewage.
This organization is working with the Washington, D.C.-based non-profit Solar Electric Light Fund to bring solar power for crisis relief along the tsunami-ravaged coast of the island. Once the short-term crisis situation is addressed, the group will focus on projects that will use solar for the long-term rebuilding of daily life, including power for schools, orphanages, homes and communications systems.
The site is now capable of accepting tax-deductible, on-line credit card donations, and funding at the point is critically needed.
Other Organizations
Here are a few organizations we would like to see assisted: The UDANA Society, Suriya Women's Development Centre in Batticoloa, Association of War Affected Women (headquartered in Kandy), and The Sumithrayo Rural Programme. (See our Fund Dispersal page for more information on these organizations.)
Opportunities in Sri Lanka
The new organization, SIT (School for International Training), under the direction of new president, Carol Bellamy (former director of UNICEF) and in collaboration with Sarvodaya (the largest NGO in Sri Lanka), is offering a 12-month Masters Degree Program in Sustainable Development to be offered in Sri Lanka beginning in January 2006 as a response to the need for quality manager development. SIT is encouraging NGOs, organizations and corporations with national and international presence to consider this program as a development benefit for their mid-level career employees and members. See their web site for more info: www.sit.edu
Teach English!
The NGO Serendib has an English Camp program where underprivileged kids attend camp to work on their English skills. Serendib's vision for the expansion of the Residential English Education Camp is based on the awareness that English as a link language is pivotal to the peace process in the country, and future "peace camps" are in the planning stages. See their web site for more info.
SHOULD YOU GO TO SRI LANKA?
If you are interested in volunteering in Sri Lanka, we recommend getting help from a new network/web site that is working to screen and place such volunteers. Please read more at:
— VolunteerSriLanka.org Email them at: VolnuteerSriLanka@hotmail.com
We've also recently received notice about asbestos hazards in the areas being reconstructed.
The World Health Organisation is disseminating information regarding the problem. If you are planning on traveling to Sri Lanka to aid in the rebuilding efforts, we suggest you read further on the issue:
— Hazardous Waste Management in Tsunami-Affected Areas
— Hazardous Waste Management in Tsunami-Affected Areas II